... above the table, under the table ...
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P.S. " ... It never happens that the "under the table" can just be explained on a daily basis (to the unwary) ... This is something that will be explained by historians. ..." (Gianni DeMichelis)
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P.S.+ This is only a summary translation for use by those who don't speak Italian.
In this memorable interview released before he died, President Emeritus Cossiga (*) describes his experiences during the most difficult years of Italy, the last years of the "Cold War".
On the -still controversial- story of the DC-9 Itavia (shot down with 81 passengers in 1980) he wanted to provide his version of events, if only to return at least some truth to those whom it has been denied.
Although it is not possible to take for granted his explanation in the absence of a final verdict - in the appropriate fora - it is important to hear the testimony of those who lived that atmosphere at the highest levels, together with that of other important protagonists of that period and of those tragedies.
Not being in the position of translating the entire text, I will make an extract of the highlights. The interview appeared -at least in part- on Italian television networks, but it does not appear that it is well known in its entirety, however there is a book and a DVD on the subject.
The President begins by stating, as a premise, with a peremptory statement:
"French Secret Service is one of the most ruthless organizations in the world."
"They stop at nothing ... In the days of the (Liberal !! ...) President Mitterand, he had a plane (of pacifist protesters) shot down with 4 people on board because they contested the French nuclear tests in the Pacific".
"Italy had to expel the head of the French Sevices from our country because they used to hunt the Algerians and simpply kill them ... on our territory ...".
"According to what I remember, the ITAVIA DC-9 was shot down by a French Navy fighter that took off from an aircraft carrier and fired aiming for a Libyan MIG in a 'hidden' flight (with the transponder off) very close to the civilian plane, and in which the Libyan leader (terrorist, ie: Lockerbie, PanAm-103) Gaddafi purportedly traveled.
Cossiga also claims that: "... apparently, the pilot, once he returned and discovered the error, would later commit suicide."
In the continuation of the service, the investigating magistrate Priore - who formalized this hypothesis at the time - also appears, according to which these reckless behaviors could hardly ever be recognized by governments and lead to some clear and honest admission: There were (are?! ...) political and strategical choices behind this tragedy and you know, the ... 'raison d'État' oblige ...
Toward the end, the former Secretary of State (Foreign Minister) Gianni DeMichelis is interviewed, and he explains that this hypothesis - although not definitively proven - is perfectly plausible, especially in view of those years and -with bitterness- he adds an account of it on the basis of that type of mindset (that cannot be ruled out even today): There is a truth we are dealing with 'above the table', and one - that we obviously cannot talk about- that takes place 'under the table' ... We certainly cannot openly tell this truths ... it is not up to us ... it is only a duty for historians.
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(*) The President Emeritus Francesco Cossiga: former Secretary of Homeland Security (Interior Ministry), Prime Minister, and President of the Republic.
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